By Adeola Kunle

Adeleke Defends Dancing Habit, Says It Has Not Affected His Performance as Governor

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed criticism of his public dancing, insisting that the hobby has never prevented him from carrying out his responsibilities or delivering projects across the state.

Adeleke made the clarification on Tuesday during a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates participating in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The governor described himself as a “prudent worker” and explained that dancing was simply part of his personality and a hobby he had enjoyed for years.

According to him, his ability to dance and his responsibilities as governor are not mutually exclusive.

“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything, there is time to dance, and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” Adeleke said.

His comments came amid criticism from Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who recently mocked Adeleke’s dancing during an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Osun State and urged voters to reject what he referred to as the “dancing governor.”

Responding to his critics, Adeleke said people who were uncomfortable with his dancing could learn the skill instead, stressing that the activity had no negative impact on his official duties.

“If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said.

The governor maintained that his personality had earned him the affection of many residents, while emphasising that dancing remained nothing more than a personal hobby.

“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he added.

Adeleke also used the town hall to highlight some of the projects undertaken by his administration, particularly in infrastructure and healthcare.

He said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads across Osun State, with solar-powered streetlights installed along some of the routes.

“As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights. This we did to provide security and enhance economic development,” the governor said.

On healthcare, Adeleke disclosed that more than 200 primary healthcare facilities had been upgraded and rehabilitated under his administration.

He said the facilities had been equipped with electricity and clean water and upgraded to what he described as global standards.

“As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water,” he stated.

The governor further claimed that qualified engineers had inspected and certified the projects executed by his administration as complying with international standards.

Adeleke is seeking another term in office under the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform on which he won the 2022 Osun governorship election.

He is among several candidates contesting the August 15 election, including the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.

By Adeola Kunle